Projector device user interface system

ABSTRACT

A method for interfacing a device to a projector including identifying a network to which the device is connected, identifying at least one projector on network, identifying status of at least one projector, enabling selection of at least one projector based on identified status, and transmitting data to at least one projector depending on whether it is selected.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/858,670, filed Jun. 1, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Pat. No. 6,830,340, filed Dec. 26, 2001, issued Dec. 14, 2004, and alsoclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/474,501, filed May 29, 2003. The entirety of each of the above namedapplications is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a user interface and relatedsystem for a projection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which thelike references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of an image projector and animage-rendering device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of an exemplary use environment inwhich the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a representative user interface for the system depicted inFIG. 1, showing an embodiment of a projector selection window.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary use environment inwhich an example embodiment may be implemented.

FIGS. 5-8 and 11-18 are example windows that may be provided on a user'sdevice interfacing with a projector.

FIG. 9 is an example splashette image generated by a projector atselected conditions.

FIG. 10 is an example flow chart illustrating operation of an exampleuser interface system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In recent years, projector devices, such as digital projectors, havefound increased popularity as a tool for the presentation of content toan audience. These projectors are typically used to project acomputer-generated presentation onto a viewing surface, and allow a userto easily present high-quality, professional appearing images toaudiences of a range of sizes. As a result, these projectors are nowoften found as permanent fixtures in conference rooms and other meetingfacilities.

Some projector devices are configured to enable a user to access apresentation by coupling their computer to the projector. Typically, auser must physically connect their computer, such as a personal computeror personal digital assistant (PDA), to the image projector. Thisprocess may present issues to the presenter. For example, there may becompatibility issues between the hardware and software on the computerand on the image projector. Moreover, connection to the image projectormay require numerous cables and/or adapters to enable connection of theuser's computer with the available projector. It is not unusual for thecables and adapters to get lost or become misplaced.

Thus, where cables are used to connect image sources directly to aprojector, there may be issues when multiple presenters use the sameprojector. For example, when transitioning from a first presenter to asecond presenter, the first presenter must physically connect an imagesource, such as a computer, to an image projector using the appropriateadapters and cables. The first presenter then typically seats himself orherself close to the image projector. When the second presenter wants topresent their presentation, the first presenter may have to disconnectthe computer from the image projector, enabling the second presenter toconnect a new computer to the image projector, possibly using differentadapters and cables. Typically, the first presenter may have to changeseats with the second presenter to provide room for the second presenterto connect to the image projector. This transition between the first andsecond presenter may take a significant period of time and be disruptiveto a meeting.

To address at lease some of these issues (or others), an image renderingdevice can be used that is configured to connect to (either wirelesslyor via a wire) and receive image data from many different types of imagesources, to render images from the data, to communicate with the imagesources and peripheral devices, and to perform these functions withreduced input and effort from a user.

This disclosure includes various example user interface systems for usewith an image transmitting/receiving/rendering device and an associatedprojector device. The user interface may be configured to allow a userto control the image transmitting/receiving/rendering device, and toutilize the image transmitting/receiving/rendering device to control thepresentation of content by, and administrative aspects of, theassociated projector device. The disclosed user interface systems may beimplemented in many different use environments. Also, the disclosed userinterface systems can be simple enough for inexperienced users to useyet includes capabilities permitting experienced users to accessadvanced features.

The disclosed projector device user interfaces may include severalindividual components. These may include, but are not limited to, aninstaller, a presentation manager (configured to manage the presentationof an image by the associated projector device), a projector manager(configured to manage the administrative aspects of the associatedprojector device), an uninstaller, and online help documentation.Various features of these components are described in more detail below.While the disclosure provides an overview of the user interface bydescribing particular implementations in Windows and/or Apple OS Xenvironments, any environment may be used, such as PALM or other PDAoperating environments, and as such the present disclosure provides someoperational details common to any operating system environment. Further,the term “Presenter” is used to describe the overall image presentationsystem, including but not limited to the image source (e.g., a computingdevice), the presenting device (e.g. a digital projector), and any imagecompression/decompression/transmission hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware associated with these devices.

The disclosed user interface system may be used with any suitable imagetransmitting/receiving/rendering device and associated projector device.An example a suitable device is described below with regard to FIGS. 1,2, and 4.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, an image display system is showngenerally at 10. Image display system 10 typically includes an imageprojector or visual presentation projector 12 and an image-rendering orimage-transformation device 14. Briefly, image-rendering device 14 isoperably coupled to, or otherwise operably associated with, imageprojector 12, such that images are transferred from image-renderingdevice 14 to image projector 12 for presentation on a projection orviewing surface. Image-rendering device 14 is adapted to receive imagesfrom a plurality of different sources and is further adapted toautomatically transmit a projectable image-to-image projector 12.Image-rendering device 14 may also be referred to herein as“image-rendering module” or “presenter module.”

Image projector 12 may be any suitable display device, including, butnot limited to, liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors, digital lightprocessing (DPL) projectors, etc.

The depicted image-rendering device 14 includes a body 15. Body 15 isconfigured to be selectively inserted at least partially within anattachment slot 17 in image projector 12. Specifically, body 15 includesa projector connecter 16. Projector connector 16 functions to coupleimage-rendering device 14 to image projector 12. Projector connector 16further functions to transmit or transfer a projectable image-to-imageprojector 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, projector connector 16 mayinclude a plug 18 that is adapted to be received into a correspondingoutlet 20 in image projector 12, permitting image-rendering device 14 todirectly engage or plug into image projector 12. Attachment structures,including latches 22, projections, pins, tabs, braces, screws or othersuitable supports, may be used to retain image-rendering device 14within outlet 20. Alternatively, instead of an integral connector,projector connector 16 may be attached to projector 12 in a remotefashion via a cable and suitable plug.

Body 15 of image-rendering device 14 may include at least one imagereceiver configured to receive a plurality of different data transferdevices. Data transfer devices may enable image-rendering device 14 toreceive images from multiple sources. A data transfer device may be acard, an expansion board, an adapter or other suitable device. Forexample, a data transfer device may be a network interface card, such asa wired network card, or a wireless network card (e.g. a wireless LANcard, such as IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11x, a radio card, aBluetooth radio card, a ZigBee radio, etc.). In one example, a networkinterface card may enable communication between device 14 and anindependent source, e.g. a remote computer, server, network, etc. Thiscommunication may allow an image or presentation stored on theindependent source to be transmitted to image-rendering device 14 afterthe independent source identifies and selects projector 12, as describedin more detail below.

Image-rendering device 14 further may include at least one peripheraldevice connector 36 on body 15. Peripheral device connector 36 isconfigured to enable at least one peripheral device to be operablylinked to image-rendering device 14 to enable images to be transferredfrom a peripheral device to image projector 12 or vice versa. Peripheralconnector 36 may be any suitable connector. For example, peripheralconnector 36 may be a standard connector, such as a Universal Serial Bus(USB) port, IEEE 1394 port, parallel port, e.g. enhanced parallel port(EPP), extended capabilities port (ECP), etc. It should be noted thatmore than one peripheral connector may be provided on body 15. Furtherimage-rendering device 14 may also include a light, such as a lightemitting diode (LED) 30, which can be used for diagnostic functions,described in more detail below. Alternatively, the LED 30 may be locatedas the projector, such as in the example when image-rendering device 14is internally located in projector 12.

In an alternative embodiment, selected functions and selected componentsof image-rendering device 14 may be integrally formed within projector12.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary use environment in which image-renderingdevice 14 may be implemented. Specifically, image-rendering device 14 isshown in a network environment 61. Network environment 61 may include aplurality of different devices, such as computers, laptops, servers,handheld computers, etc. The insertion of an appropriate network cardinto image-rendering device 14 may enable presentation content on eachof the network devices to be selectively transmitted to image-renderingdevice 14 for display by image projector 12. As shown, image projector12 may display the transferred image onto a display surface 65.

In one embodiment, a splashette function may be included in the device14 and/or projector 12. The splashette may include a small window thatappears in the upper right corner of the screen (although otherlocations can also be selected) at selected conditions, such asstart-up/power-up. The rest of the screen may consist of a blackbackground, for example. The splashette may contain various items and/orinformation, which are described in more detail below herein with regardto FIG. 9.

As described above, the network interface card may be either a wirelessnetwork card or a wired network card. Alternatively, projector 12 mayinclude wireless or wired network capability integrally formed in theprojector unit. It should further be appreciated that a wireless networkcard may be permanently integrated within image-rendering device 14. Thewireless network card may enables a plurality of users to alternativelylink to the local area network and send images/presentations to an imageprojector without individually having to manually couple their computerto a projector. Additionally, as long as a user's computer device iscapable of linking to the local area network using standard protocolsand transferring data, the type and model of the computer linked todevice 14 may be irrelevant. No adapters or cables are necessary for thewireless connection (although they could be used, if desired). Thus,users may be able to present from any location in a room, or remote fromthe room.

Such a system may be particularly useful in meeting room environments,where multiple individuals using the same projector system forpresentations may be using different operating systems and/or platforms.For example, in FIG. 2, five computers (two portable computers orlaptops 56 and 58, a desktop computer 60, a handheld computer 62, and atelephone 64) are shown linked to device 14 over a wireless LAN. Any ofthe users may link to image projector 12 via image-rendering device 14wirelessly. Usually, the user who is presenting or the active presenterreleases or exits from the currently active presentation to enable asecond presenter to begin sending data to device 14 for presentation.

It should be understood that any suitable computer or computing devicethat may be capable of wirelessly linking to the local area network andconveying an image, or the URI or other indicator of the location of animage, to device 14 may be used. Computers, as used herein, include, butare not limited to, desktop computers, handheld computers, laptopcomputers, servers, mainframes, telephones, etc.

Device 14 enables the transfer of data to image projector 12 byconnecting a user's computer with an image projector. In someembodiments, device 14 may communicate the name of the projector towhich it is coupled to the user's computer, while also projecting thename onto screen 65 when the projector is initially powered on. Thus,when a user connects to a network on which the projector is located, theproject may appear as an icon, or be added to a list of projectors towhich the computer may be connected. In this situation, the user mayselect the projector from the list of projectors to connect to aspecific image projector. An exemplary user interface is shown in FIG.3, as well as FIGS. 5-8, and 10-18. The exemplary user interface of FIG.3 includes a selection window 66 for display on a computer screen 67,but other formats are possible. The user interface may include aprojector icon 68. Such an icon may be used to identify the projectorthat is currently available on the network. For example, and as shown inFIG. 3, “Projector 1” is linked to the user's computer via device 14.Alternatively, a user may be able to select the desired projector from alist of projectors 70.

The user interface also may include a presentations file 72 configuredto allow a user to store presentations or images for display. When auser desires to present a presentation, a local wireless network cardmay be inserted into an image receiver within image-rendering device 14.The name or identifier for the linked projector may then be broadcast tothe user's computer indicating that the user can connect to the imageprojector and send images and/or presentations to device 14. The usermay then select a presentation from presentation file 72 and direct itto the linked projector via projector icon 68. The user does not need tophysically move his/her computer next to image projector 12, nor doesthe user have to plug adapters or cables into his/her computer toconnect to the image projector (although the user can, if desired).Instead, the user simply connects to the wireless network and directs adesired image or presentation to the projector. The user may remainseated the entire time and does not need to move to a position near theprojector when presenting (although the user may, if desired).

As discussed above, data and/or images may be transmitted from a user'scomputer to device 14 in many different formats. For example, an imagefile corresponding to the appearance of the display on the user'scomputer (screen shots or scrapes) may be sent to device 14. Image datamay also be transferred in other formats using a reduced amount oftransmission bandwidth, if desired.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, the user's computer maysend the image data directly to image-rendering device 14.Alternatively, the user computer may send data including a universalresource indicator (URI) to image-rendering device 14, which directsdevice 14 to the appropriate location to pick up the desiredimage/presentation.

As discussed above, a wired network card also may be received within theimage receiver. It will be appreciated that a wired network card alsomay be permanently integrated within image-rendering device 14 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

An exemplary network environment is shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated,image-rendering device 14 may be connected directly to a LAN 74 via awired and/or wireless network card. Image-rendering device 14 may befurther linked to a second LAN 76 and/or a WAN 78, such as the Internet,through LAN 74. Image-rendering device 14 also may be able to connect toa remote server 80 or user 82 via LAN 74. Such a configuration mayenable a user to run a presentation on image projector 12 from a remotelocation.

It should be noted that image-rendering device 14 may be compact andportable. Typically, image-rendering device 14 may be much smaller andlighter than a conventional laptop. Moreover, no user input device, suchas a keyboard or mouse, is necessary (although one can be included ifdesired). The device can be an automatic rendering engine configured toautomatically render and transmit images from a first source to an imageprojector for display.

As noted above, a user interface may be used with the system to enable auser to perform various functions, such as transferring and projectingimages. While one example user interface was described above, variousothers may be used. One such alternative embodiment user interface mayhave the following components: an installer, a presenter manager, aprojector manager, an uninstaller, and online help documentation.

The installer may be used to walk the user through installing softwarenecessary to use a presenter module, which controls operation such asgiving presentations from a user's computer over a wireless network to aprojector. The installer also allows users to identify the directoryinto which they would like to install the software, choose whether theywant a desktop shortcut, and automatically launch the user manual andthe presenter manager application when the installation is finished. Itmay also offer to test any wireless PC card provided.

The presenter manager component allows the user to select a projector inrange, start and stop projecting, and set preferences. It also allowsthe user to adjust the presenter module's settings—for example, torename the presenter module and the presenter module's network, tospecify the presenter module's IP address if desired, and/or to resetthe presenter module's settings to factory defaults. This component maybe decoupled from the presenter software—for example, it may be on apresenter install CD.

The uninstaller allows the user to easily uninstall the presentersoftware.

The online help documentation may provide users with easy access toonline help.

Referring now to the presenter manager in more detail, when the userlaunches the presenter manager operating on their computer, for example,a window may open to its normal view shown in FIG. 5. Upon launch, thepresenter manager may take a snapshot of the user's current wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) settings and populate a list of projectorswith projectors and/or image rendering devices found in the current WLANas well as the last five image rendering devices used (MRU, or “mostrecently used”). The projectors on the current WLAN may be discovered inany suitable manner. Suitable manners of discovering projectors on theWLAN include, but are not limited to, monitoring a multicast address onthe WLAN to which the projectors and/or image rendering devices areconfigured to send announcement messages, or “beacons,” announcing theirpresence and/or availability; and/or receiving broadcast or unicastbeacons. Note that while in this example the last five devices used maybe included, this is just an example and more or less (or none) of thelast or previously used devices may be listed. Further details of theoperation of the presenter manager are provided below with regard toFIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the list of projectors may have three columns:Projector, ID Number, and Status. By default, the primary sort is bystatus and the secondary sort is by projector name, although othersorting approaches may be used, if desired. The first availableprojector in the list is highlighted by default; and if there are noavailable projectors in the list, then the first unknown projector ishighlighted by default. The user can move the highlight bar by pressingthe up/down arrow keys, or with the mouse, for example. While thedepicted embodiment includes a list of projectors, it will beappreciated that it may include other types of image display devices inthe list. Examples include, but are not limited to, rear projectiondisplay devices.

The Status column indicates whether each projector is available, in use,or unknown, although other identifiers could be used, or only a singleidentifier may be used. If a projector is in use, its name may be grayedout (unless it is the projector the user is currently using). If thereis only one available projector in the list, it may be selected bydefault. A projector's status may be unknown if it is one of the last 5projectors used but is not on the current WLAN, for example.

A projector may be dropped from the list when a beacon is no longerheard and the WLAN settings are the same as when last checked and anattempt to connect to that projector has failed. Otherwise, theprojector is left in the list and is unknown. However, a user may alsodrop a projector from the list manually.

Note that there may be issues with listening for beacons andadding/dropping devices to the list based on the beacon. For example, avalue that is too short may result in projectors flashing in and out ofthe list. Alternatively, a value that is too long may result ininaccurate status. Therefore, in one example, the time to listen for abeacon on PC-based devices may be set to approximately 5 beaconintervals (i.e. the time between receiving beacons), while on Mac-baseddevices the value may be set to approximately 9 beacon intervals, toobtain desired performance. However, in an alternative embodiment, acommon listening time may be used for all devices. These values may alsobe added to the registry on the PC and to a preferences file on the Macso that users with different antennas and in different environments canadjust the values to suit their needs.

In one example, the MRU list of the last or previously used devices maybe updated based on whether a device is successfully used. If so, it maybe added to the list. Further, if the WLAN is the same and no beaconsare detected, the device may stay in the list with an indicated statusof unknown. If the user tries to connect to it and it is not available,an error may be displayed and then the projector may be dropped from theMRU list.

If an available or unknown projector is selected, the Project! in thefigure button may be the default button. The Project! button may bedisabled if there are no projectors or devices found, or if there is noprojector or device selected. Note that, in this example, the user mayonly select an available or unknown projector; projectors that are inuse appear in the list but may be grayed out.

When the user selects an available projector and clicks the Project!button (or hits the Enter key), a screen scrape application starts. Whenthe screen scrape application has started (that is, the user's desktophas been rendered in the projected image), the button toggles to Stopand the status of the selected projector or device flips to indicatethat is it in use. However, unlike projectors that are in use by others,which are grayed out, the projector the user is using does not becomegrayed out.

If there is a lag between clicking the Project! button and theappearance of the projected image, the user may see some visual feedbackthat the software is responding to the button press. If the lag is onlytwo seconds, holding down the Project! button for a second would givethe user feedback that something is happening and may prevent them fromclicking the button again. If the lag is longer than two seconds, someother feedback may be provided—for example, text in the lower rightcorner of the screen may be used which states, “Establishing wirelesslink. Please wait.”

If the user selects a projector with a status of “unknown” and clicksthe Project! button, an alert dialog may be provided to notify the userthat current network activities may be disrupted while the program looksfor available devices or projectors, and that the user should close anyapplications using files on the network. Proceeding past this pointdismisses the dialog and replaces it with a progress dialog that may beused to indicate progress in the search.

One of three things may then happen (when the user selects a projectoror device whose status is unknown): (1) The projector or device cannotbe found (e.g., it is out of range or turned off), which may generate analert dialog as shown in FIG. 6, (2) the projector is found but is inuse, which generates an alert dialog as shown in FIG. 7, or (3) theprojector is found and is available, which projects the contents of theuser's desktop (or some other selected file) on screen.

The Scan button may be enabled unless the user is currently projecting.Clicking the Scan button may also cause an alert dialog, followed by aprogress dialog as described above. If more presenter-enabled projectorsor devices are found, they may also appear in the list. If no morepresenter-enabled projectors or devices are found, the progress dialogmay be replaced by a dialog which states that no more presenter-enabledprojectors or devices were found.

A Settings . . . button may be enabled when an available projector ordevice, or the projector or device the user is currently using, isselected. Clicking it opens a settings dialog, which may allow the userto adjust various settings, such as, for example: the presenter name,network name, and IP address (the user can either choose to obtain an IPaddress automatically or specify the IP address, net mask, and gateway).The presenter module's MAC address may also be provided as read-onlyinformation. The Settings . . . button is still available whenprojecting, but all content of the settings dialog may be read-only toreduce disruption of a presentation. A diagnostics tab may also beprovided which may enable a user to blink LED 30 on a projector or imagerendering device to verify a proper connection, and/or restore factorysettings. The diagnostics tab may also illustrate the LED location onthe projector or device, such as on the image-rendering device (30).

Also, from the settings dialog, a password can be set and used. Users donot have to set a password and, by default, there is no password.However, any user could select and change an image rendering devicemodule's settings. If the user is concerned about others changing thepresenter module's settings, s/he can protect the settings with apassword. To set a password, the user clicks a button in the settingsdialog and a password dialog appears which allows the user to set andconfirm a password. If a password is set, the next time the user opensthe settings dialog, all of its settings and controls are read-only andthe password is required to make changes. If the user just changes theimage rendering device module's name, the user will still becommunicating with the image rendering device module. If the user wasprojecting at the time the name was changed, projection continues andthe name updates in the list. If the user was not projecting, thesplashette may update itself with the new name and the name may alsoupdate in the projector manager list.

If the user clicks the Show Preferences button in the normal view, thewindow may expand and the button toggles to Hide Preferences. Theexpanded view may give the user access to application-specificpreferences, for example. The Show/Hide Preferences button may always beenabled; however, preferences that cannot be changed during projectionmay still be disabled while the user is projecting. FIG. 8 shows anexample expanded window of the presenter manager.

The resolution slider may provide three or more ticks (or less, ifdesired). The text in the table below may appear in tool tips thatappear above each tick mark: System Left Middle Right PC 800 × 600 ×1024 × 768 × 1024 × 768 × 16 bit color 16 bit color 24 bit color Mac 800× 600 × 1024 × 768 × 1024 × 768 × thousands of colors thousands ofcolors millions of colors

The slider thumb can default to any tick, such as the middle tick. Theuser can then move the input focus to the resolution slider by pressingCtrl-R and use the right and left arrow keys on the keyboard to move theslider's thumb back and forth, or using a mouse. The selection on theresolution slider is invoked when the user projects and, when the userstops projecting, the user's previous display resolution setting (ifdifferent) may be restored. Whenever the desktop display is about tochange from the user's current display setting, an alert dialog mayappear when the user clicks the Project! button. For example, the alertdialog may appear if the user's system is in an unsupported resolution(e.g., 1400×5200) or if the user has changed the selection on the sliderand it is now different from the user's current display setting.

Continuing with FIG. 8, the default state of the checkbox for “List thelast 5 projectors I've used” is checked. If the user unchecks this box,the last 5 projectors used—that are not on the current WLAN and are notcurrently in use—can be removed from the list. Various other defaultchecked boxes are also illustrated, which may be unchecked by the user.

While FIGS. 5-8 and the corresponding description has described portionsof an example user interface, various other approaches may be used. Forexample, an interface adapted to be used with a Mac system may also beprovided. Example changes that may be used are that: the system mayautomatically provide for a menu bar for any application which mayinclude a “Show Info” feature; the system may take advantage of otherfeatures, such as sheet dialogs, the system may used different placementof typical controls; or the system may not use right-click mouse buttonfeatures.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an example splash screen, or splashette, isdescribed. The splashette may be a small or large window that appears inthe upper right corner (or other area) of the screen. The splashette maycontain one or more of the following fields, or combinations there of:

Name: presenter projector name;

Unique ID: presenter unique ID (which may be derived from a MACaddress);

WLAN: presenter network name;

Model: projector model;

Version: 1.0.x.x (which may be in light gray);

IP address (which may be in light gray);

Note that a USB test may be performed at boot-up that checks forexistence of USB communications. If none are found, a star can be usedto so indicate.

The presenter splashette may appears upon various operating conditions,such as when the projector is powered on, when the M1 connector is thesource, when a presenter module is connected, and/or combinationsthereof. The splashette may be thirty-two characters in length to allowfor the descriptor and twenty characters for each field, althoughsmaller or larger values may be used. Also, if desired, the latest logoand color scheme may be incorporated into the title bar area. Fieldcharacters may be bolded or italicized, if desired.

Various other messages can be displayed via the splashette with the sameboarder and font as above. However, the grayscale and title bar may beremoved, if desired. For example, the following messages may generatedby the server and displayed: Authentication (e.g. when graphics are notgenerated by the server, such as if the security box is checked and theuser attempts to project); Radio not found; WEP incompatibility (e.g.,when there device is not WEP enabled and is trying to join a WEP enabledSSID); and/or Upgrade thermometer (not generated by server).

Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of an example user interfaceroutine for selecting and projecting is described.

First, block 1001 represents the user launching a manager sub routine(such as the projector manager described above herein), which takes asnapshot of the users current wireless local area network (WLAN)settings. Then, in block 1002, the last five projectors or devices thatwere used by the user, and projectors currently on the WLAN, appear in alist of identified projectors or devices that may be utilized. Oneexample list is shown and described above herein with regard to FIG. 8.Next, in block 1003, the user determines whether the desired projectoris in the list. This determination may be based on a comparison of nameand ID numbers in the list with information that is being projected bythe desired device, such as via a splashette.

If the desired projector (or other device) is in the list, then in block1004, the user can determine whether the desired projector or device isavailable based on information displayed in the list. If the desireprojector or device is not available, the user can continue to block1005. Alternatively, if it is available, the user can continue to block1006 to highlight the desired and available device and then click theProject! button. Then, the user's desktop can be projected via a deviceas described below herein with regard to block 1014.

In block 1005, the user can determine whether the desired projector isin use (for example, another user is currently transmitting andprojecting). If not, the device may be an unknown device and then theuser continues to block 1007. Alternatively, if the device is in use,the user can continue to block 1008. In block 1008, the projector isgrayed out in the list, and the user may not select the device.

Alternatively, in block 1007, the desired projector has an unknownstatus and the user may highlight the projector in an attempt to projectimages to it. Then, in block 1009, the interface indicates whether anyother wireless local area networks can be detected on which the unknownprojector may be networked. If so, in block 1010, an alert warns theuser that there may be temporary network disconnectivity. Then, in block1011, the user interface determines whether the unknown projector is inrange. If not, in block 1012, the user interface provides an alert touser stating that the desired projector is either out of range or turnedoff. Alternatively, in block 1013, the user interface determines whetherthe desired projector is available. If so, the user can continue toblock 1014 to project the desktop images to the device which then may beprojected onto a screen, for example. Then, when the user has completedthe desired projection, in block 1015, the user can click stopprojecting and close the application. Finally, then in block 1016,previous WLAN settings are restored.

From block 1013, when the desired projector is not available (e.g. inuse), in block 1017 the user interface provides an alert to the userstating that the desired projector is in use. From either blocks 1012 or1017, when the user clicks OK and the user interface returns to block1012.

From block 1013, when the desired projector is not in the list, the usercan continue to block 1018 to select the scan button. Then, in block1019, the user interface determines whether any other wireless localarea networks have been detected. If not, in block 1020, the userinterface provides an alert to the user indicating that no otherprojectors are available. Alternatively, when other networks have beenidentified, in block 1021, the user interface provides an alert to theuser that there may be a temporary loss of network connectivity. At thispoint the user may cancel the operation to return to block 1002.Alternatively, if the user selects OK in block 1022, the user interfacescans for all modules having a selected 802.11 internal basic serviceset (IBSS). In an alternative embodiment, basic service set (BSS) modemay be used. Next, in block 1023, the user interface determines whetherany other images have been detected. If not, the alert from block 1020is provided. Alternatively, if so, the user may present other imagerendering devices in the list instead, in block 1024.

The above user interface may provide a way for multiple users toeffectively utilize multiple projection systems in with a simple andeasy to use interface.

However, because underlying software and/or firmware may be occasionallyupgraded, and different devices may be updated at different rates, if atall, an update manager may be provided to enable backward compatibilityand various other features.

For example, when a new version of the image rendering device firmwarebecomes available, users will be able to update their module's firmwarevia an update routine. Users will likely download a self-extracting ZIPfile from a web site, although other approaches may also be used. Oneexample embodiment of an update routine is described below.

Specifically, when the user double-clicks the ZIP file, for example, theupdate routine self-extracts and the screen in FIG. 11 appears. When theuser clicks the Next button, the screen in FIG. 12 appears, which showsa list of projectors and/or other devices populated with those found(all boxes may be unchecked by default). For example, the list may bepopulated with presenter-enabled projectors on the current WLAN. If noprojectors are in the list or if the desired projector is not in thelist, the user may clicks the Scan button, which operation is describedabove. The Scan button may result in an alert dialog if any other WLANsare detected, notifying the user that current network activities may bedisrupted during the search. If the user clicks OK, a progress dialogmay appear. As more presenter-enabled projectors are found, they mayappear in the list as they are found (even while the scan continues).When the scan is complete, the progress dialog closes. If no moreprojectors are found upon completion of the scan, a dialog appears thatindicates no more presenter-enabled projectors were found. The user maythen check the desired projector(s) and click Update.

For example, if the user checked “The Boss” in FIG. 12, which has anewer version of the firmware, the alert in FIG. 13 appears, indicatingthat software may be installed over a new version. When the user thenclicks Update in FIG. 12 (or clicks OK in FIG. 13), the screen in FIG.14 appears. The status for each presenter module then updatesdynamically as the update routine progresses (FIG. 14).

The update routine works through the list of projectors and providesstatus on each one as it goes, as shown in FIG. 15, which shows theupdate status changing in list. If the update for a particular presentermodule goes smoothly, its status may cycle through the following text,for example: Queued (0% complete), In Progress (1-100% complete),Resetting (100% complete), and Updated (100% complete). FIG. 16 showsyet another example update of the status changing in the list.

If a selected presenter module becomes unavailable before the updateroutine gets to it, or while it is being updated (for example, it getsturned off or becomes out of range), its status may change tounavailable and it may remain in the same place in the list. The updateroutine may then try it and, if it is still unavailable, the updateroutine will move on to the next presenter module. When the updateroutine has unsuccessfully tried to update a module three times, forexample, its status will change to failed.

While a presenter module is being updated, the following message may beprojected on screen: “Presenter firmware update in progress. Please waita moment.”

When the update routine has gone through the list of selected presentermodules, the final screen shows the results of the update. FIG. 17 shows100% success. FIG. 18 shows what the screen would look like if one ofthe updates failed. If the user clicks the Back button in FIGS. 17 or18, the screen shown in FIG. 12 may appear after being refreshed toreflect the current firmware versions and status).

Another optional feature of the projection system is wired-likeSecurity. If the “Enable Security” checkbox (located in the preferencessection of the user interface described above) is not checked, allbehavior is as described in previous sections of this disclosure. When auser clicks on the “Enable Security” checkbox in the preferences dialog,there are differences in how the application, the user, and the imagerendering device interact. This difference may allow for the negotiationof secure keys (challenge/response) as well as encryption of the datapresented.

For example, when a user clicks on the Project button and security isenabled, a challenge is presented to the user via several user interfacecomponents. One is a splash type of screen (image rendering message)through the image rendering server and projector. On this screen, theuser sees the challenge code in a 16-point or greater font, for example.At this same time on the laptop side (in the case of a laptop), a dialogmay appear asking the user to type in the “Challenge Code” or thecharacters they see on the screen. When the user types in the correctcode, the secure session is allowed. At this point, the data in theconnection is encrypted. Any type of encryption can be used depending onthe desired system specifications and the level of security desired. Anincorrect challenge forces the user to click Project again and thesequence restarts. An error message may be sent to the user by the PC,telling them the challenge code failed and prompts them to try again bypushing Project.

Another additional dialog may be added for when security is enabled.Namely, during key negotiating (after a user clicks on Project), a quickdialogue may popup saying, “Establishing secure channel.”

Although the present disclosure includes specific embodiments, specificembodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, becausenumerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the presentdisclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations andsubcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/orproperties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point outcertain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel andnonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” elementor the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to includeincorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring norexcluding two or more such elements. Other combinations andsubcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties maybe claimed through amendment of the present claims or throughpresentation of new claims in this or a related application. Suchclaims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to theoriginal claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matterof the present disclosure.

1. A method for interfacing a device to a projector, comprising:identifying a network to which the device is connected; identifying atleast one projector on said network; identifying status of said at leastone projector; enabling selection of said at least one projector basedon said identified status; and transmitting data to said at least oneprojector depending on whether it is selected.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein said transmitted data is image data received by said at leastone projector to be displayed on a screen by said projector.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said status indicates whether said at leastone projector is available to receive data.
 4. The method of claim 1where more than one projector is identified on said network.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising disabling transmission of saiddata.
 6. A method for interfacing a device to a projector, comprising:identifying a wireless network to which the device is connected;identifying a list of projectors on said network; identifying a statusof each of said projectors; enabling selection of any of said projectorsbased on said identified status of each of said projectors; andtransmitting data over said wireless network to a selected projector. 7.The method of claim 6 wherein said list includes a projector not on saidnetwork.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said list includes apreviously used projector whether or not said previously used projectoris on said network.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein said statusindicates whether one of said projectors on said list is available toreceive data.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein said transmitted data isimage data received by said selected projector to be displayed on ascreen by said projector.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein said statusindicates whether one of said projectors on said list is in use.
 12. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising disabling transmission of said datato said selected projector and thereby changing status of said selectedprojector.
 13. A method for interfacing a device to a projector,comprising: identifying a wireless network to which the device isconnected; identifying a list of projectors; identifying a status ofeach of said projectors on said list; enabling scanning for projectorson said list not found on said network; enabling selection of projectorsbased on said identified status of each of said projectors; andtransmitting data over said wireless network to a selected projector.14. The method of claim 13 wherein said list includes a projector not onsaid network.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said list includes apreviously used projector.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein said listincludes a projector on said network.
 17. The method of claim 13 whereinsaid status indicates whether one of said projectors on said list isavailable to receive data.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein saidtransmitted data is image data received by said selected projector to bedisplayed on a screen by said projector, and during said transmission, ascreen saver on the device is disabled.
 19. The method of claim 1further comprising disabling transmission of said data to said selectedprojector and thereby changing status of said selected projector.
 20. Asystem, comprising: a projector adapted to be coupled to a wirelessnetwork; a computer readable storage medium having instructions thereinfor interfacing a device to said projector, comprising: instructions foridentifying a list of projectors on said wireless network; instructionsfor identifying status of said projectors on said list; instructions forenabling selection of at least one of said projectors on said list basedon said identified status; and instructions for transmitting data tosaid at least one projector depending on whether it is selected.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein said projector is adapted to projectidentifying information about said projector under selected conditions.22. The system of claim 21 wherein said selected conditions include aninitial power-up.
 23. A method for interfacing a device to a projector,comprising: displaying a list of projectors; identifying a status ofeach of said projectors on said list; enabling selection of projectorsbased on said identified status of each of said projectors; andtransmitting data over said wireless network to a selected projector.24. The method of claim 23 wherein said list includes at least onepreviously used projector.